Soc Bom Bo Cultural Reserve – The Flame of S’tiêng Cultural Preservation and Promotion

(TITC) – Located in Bom Bo Commune, Dong Nai Province, the S’tiêng Ethnic Cultural Reserve of Bom Bo has long been a place that gathers, preserves, and spreads the distinctive cultural values of the S’tiêng people. More than just a space for displaying artifacts, it carries a noble mission: to ignite pride, inspire the preservation of cultural identity, and serve as a bridge connecting S’tiêng culture with the wider community, especially the younger generation.

Visitors enjoy a lithophone performance by S’tiêng artisans at the S’tiêng Ethnic Cultural Conservation Area in Bom Bo Hamlet

Preserving and Spreading Cultural Identity

With over 100 artifacts, numerous images, and unique performance spaces, the Bom Bo Reserve offers visitors an authentic view of S’tiêng life. Familiar objects such as baskets, jars, stone instruments, and gongs not only evoke memories of the past but also testify to the enduring vitality of this ethnic culture.

What makes this place special is that it does not merely preserve static displays. It serves as a living venue where community members and artisans actively teach and perform. Artisan Dieu Thi Xia, one of the reserve’s long-time contributors, shared that this is a place for locals to introduce traditional crafts such as brocade weaving, brewing ruou can (fermented rice wine), and basket weaving, all recognized as National Intangible Cultural Heritage. Through outreach and cultural education activities, Ms. Xia and other villagers have helped rekindle love and pride for S’tiêng traditions among the youth.

Many families in Bom Bo have also voluntarily donated and safeguarded artifacts, enriching the reserve’s collection. These small but meaningful acts reflect community engagement and a shared commitment to preserving cultural heritage.

Beyond the efforts of individuals, local authorities also play a crucial role in promoting cultural awareness. Bom Bo village chief, Mr. Nguyen Duy Thanh, noted that frequent reminders and encouragement for young people to explore and preserve their heritage have created visible changes, ensuring S’tiêng culture remains alive amid rapid modernization.

S’tiêng ethnic artisans demonstrate traditional brocade weaving at the S’tiêng Ethnic Cultural Conservation Area in Bom Bo Hamlet

Linking Preservation with Experiential Tourism

Another highlight of the Bom Bo Cultural Reserve’s efforts is the integration of heritage preservation with experiential tourism. Visitors here not only listen to explanations and tour exhibition rooms but also witness live performances of lithophones, gongs, and the rhythmic pounding of rice pestles, the iconic sounds immortalized in the song “The Sound of Rice Pestles in Bom Bo.” Festivals and open-air stages featuring traditional longhouses further recreate a vibrant, immersive environment, allowing visitors to fully experience S’tiêng culture.

According to Mr. Pham Anh Tuan, Director of the Reserve’s Management Board, the site focuses on preserving and promoting the most distinctive elements of S’tiêng heritage from weaving, rice-wine making, and basketry to folk arts and ancient melodies like Tơm Pớt singing. These efforts not only safeguard valuable traditions but also open new opportunities for developing cultural tourism, helping S’tiêng identity reach wider audiences.

In recent years, the Reserve has collaborated with the Dong Nai Tourism Association to develop various cultural tours that bring visitors closer to the daily life of the local community. This approach not only creates sustainable livelihoods for residents but also serves as a powerful form of cultural communication, where each visit, each story, and each performance become a message of pride and preservation passed to future generations.

Though challenges remain, particularly the risk of losing ancient folk songs that survive only in the memories of elders, the Bom Bo Cultural Reserve continues to shine as a model of cultural conservation and education. With the joint efforts of local authorities, the community, and especially the youth, the traditional flame of S’tiêng culture will keep burning brightly, enriching the colourful mosaic of Vietnam’s national heritage.

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